Sunday, 2 October 2016

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ejection from Zanu PF has just been
temporarily shelved but is still on the agenda, political observers said
yesterday.

Mnangagwa, who has been under fire from a group within Zanu PF that
has been pushing for his ouster, on Friday received public support from
those perceived to be baying for his political blood, including the
First Lady Grace Mugabe, who has in the past made thinly-veiled attacks
and threats to kick him out.Zanu PF women’s league said on Friday they had postponed their demand for a woman VP until the next congress.But war veterans — who have openly called for Mnangagwa to succeed
Mugabe — yesterday questioned the sincerity of the 92-year-old leader
and his wife on their messages of peace and reconciliation within the
ruling party.They said Mugabe should first discipline officials who publicly
attacked and humiliated Mnangagwa instead of blaming so-called
rumour-mongers for allegedly peddling falsehoods with regards to his
relationship with the VPs.Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA)
secretary-general Victor Matemadanda yesterday said while they welcomed
Mugabe’s peace offer, they were sceptical about his sincerity as he did
nothing to defend Mnangagwa when he was attacked by Hurungwe MP Sarah
Mahoka and Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister, Mandiitawepi Chimene.“He should stop fooling people that it is rumour-mongering because he
was there when Mahoka attacked and embarrassed the VP and nothing was
done to her. “He and his wife were there when Chimene did the same to VP Mnangagwa
and still today, nothing has happened to her. I think they are just up
to something and they want to use people. It is very bad,” Matemadanda
said.Turning to statements uttered by Grace that she was in support of the
two VPs, Matemadanda said until she proved her sincerity, her words
remained “just but words”.“The words are good but the most important thing is sincerity, which
is only known to her. We as war veterans want Zanu PF to be a
disciplined party and what the president said is good but it should not
end there. It must be practised. Until then, we are not convinced that
the peace and reconciliation statements are genuine,” he said. Zanu PF insiders told The Standard that Friday’s event could be
wrongly interpreted as a defeat of the G-40 faction, which is reportedly
anti-Mnangagwa while being loyal to First Lady, who is also the women’s
league boss.They said Mnangagwa’s camp should prepare for a rude awakening as the party’s young Turks were plotting against him.“That old man is a Machiavellian politician. He is a shrewd tactician
and very intelligent and knows when to attack and how to hoodwink a
political foe or supporter,” said a senior Zanu PF official. “To some of us, what happened on Friday is not surprising. The
president is managing internal pressure and launching the 2018 election
campaign. In Zanu PF, we fight each other but when faced with a common
enemy, we unite. That is basically what the president is starting to
do.” According to insiders, the VP’s camp — which is popularly known as
Team Lacoste — should be careful as it is likely to be caught
flat-footed by Mugabe and his wife if the party wins the 2018 elections.Another source said Mugabe usually leaps to the defence of any one
faction that seems to be down as a way of ensuring that his seat is safe
and ensuring that all factions involved concentrate on outdoing each
other while he tightens his grip on power.“The fundamental thing from Friday is that the women’s league has
confirmed their demand for a post in the presidium. When they said 2019;
don’t be shocked when they demand that the next president be a woman.
Who said presidium means VPs only? “It is a tactic to ensure that by then, it is likely the president
would not be willing to stand as the next leader and they could push one
of them to take over. Some people will celebrate their eventual
downfall,” said the party insider.University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure
said the move by Grace should be viewed as a tact for 2019 and the
women’s league could demand more then than they are now.“In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, but
interests. I think for now, the First Lady has suspended her bid to
have the VP removed but I think this is temporary. It could be revived
when time comes.
Probably for now they have failed in the execution of the plan and are now regrouping,” Masunungure said.“It is, however, imperative to watch how the VP plays out his cards
in such a scenario. If he manages to read and play it well, it could
turn out for the worst for the G40 faction, or he could actually be the
biggest loser in all this.” standard